what is best SLR for a newbie?
36789
I got Olympus EVOLT 510 with two lens DSLR camera about two week ago. This camera pack with all the features for the pro. I really happy with Olympus camera after 300 pix test shoot and I love it more... Also. This camera was voted the best DSLR camera on WIRE magazine. You will not disapoint. No issue sofar.
326234
Thanks. My only thought about the Canon A590IS is that I probably will not want to get involved in anything other than a full-auto camera, and therefore would it make sense to even consider the Canon A590IS? For myself, the simpler the better, and that being the case, I would probably tend to use the camera more often, though the Canon is such a good deal. Also, should I really be that concerned about the lens issue I have been reading about?
468418
Do you have olympus lenses or will this be your first slr? If it's your first I would say go with the 520 if you have the extra cash. I have the e 510 and use it for everything. I just used it for a wedding and the pictures were amazing! I would put the e-510 up against any other camera on the market in the under $1000 class. The 520 has some features that are tying to attract more point-n-shooters, like face detection with the live view. It also has upgrades that ofcourse we haven't seen so we won't know if they make a big enough difference. If you can wait get the 520, if not the e-510 with the 14-54 lens is a great combo, you can't go wrong with either one. Do you have olympus lenses or will this be your first slr? If it's your first I would say go with the 520 if you have the extra cash. I have the e 510 and use it for everything. I just used it for a wedding and the pictures were amazing! I would put the e-510 up against any other camera on the market in the under $1000 class. The 520 has some features that are tying to attract more point-n-shooters, like face detection with the live view. It also has upgrades that ofcourse we haven't seen so we won't know if they make a big enough difference. If you can wait get the 520, if not the e-510... » Read More Do you have olympus lenses or will this be your first slr? If it's your first I would say go with the 520 if you have the extra cash. I have the e 510 and use it for everything. I just used it for a wedding and the pictures were amazing! I would put the e-510 up against any other camera on the market in the under $1000 class. The 520 has some features that are tying to attract more point-n-shooters, like face detection with the live view. It also has upgrades that ofcourse we haven't seen so we won't know if they make a big enough difference. If you can wait get the 520, if not the e-510 with the 14-54 lens is a great combo, you can't go wrong with either one. « Show Less
1736084
I would get the Nikon Coolpix L120. By far the best choice out there, and it's affordable!
1324964
The Nikon D50 would be a perfect starter camera...just don't pay too much for it(150.00 of less). Pair it with the 18-70 lens and you will be able to take outstanding photos. If you like the results, you can always upgrade later. I've had mine for years and use it as a back up, but I love the quality of the pics from the D50.
2227374
Since this is your first DSLR I will recomend the Canon 18-135 as a good all around lens. Overtime you may find the need or desire for other lenses like primes and L but to get you started the 18-135 will do a good job.
1034419
See my review "Assembling a Compact System". For low-light photography you need a camera with 1) a lens with a wide aperture, and 2) good image stabilization, and 3) good quality photos even at higher ISO settings. The 20mm f1.7 lens which comes as a kit with this camera is an excellent low-light lens, the Summilux 25mm f1.4 is even better. Compared to a zoom with a maximum aperture of F4, the 25mm f1.4 lets in 3 times as much light. But, you'll almost certainly also need a semi-telephoto, and the only appropriate semi-telephoto available for the Lumix is a Nocticron 45.2mm f1.2 (a superb low-light lens), which costs $1600 by itself. Do NOT buy a zoom lens if you want low-light capabilities. Lumix cameras have both in-body stabilization and in-lens stabilization---and will choose which is best for the situation, which is very much a plus. The Lumix has very good ISO performance, which is a plus. One solution to low-light is high-power flash. You can buy such flash units for this camera, but they are expensive and bigger than the camera. My suggestion is a Nikon DSLR (some models are cheaper than the Lumix). There is a wide range of appropriate low-light Nikon lenses available, and a wide range of flash systems available---and the sensors are larger, implying possible better ISO performance (but that probably depends on the particular model). Whatever camera you buy, I also strongly suggest considering a monopod, which can greatly extend your low-light capabilities. The Lumix is a great compact camera with impressive low-light capabilities (when matched with appropriate lenses). But if you do not specifically need a very compact camera, the Lumix is not the best choice for the kind of photography you describe.
1186464
Night sky pictures can be tricky. You need a tripod to avoid camera shake because of the long exposure. Even pressing the shutter button will create enough shake to cause blurry results. I usually use the shutter delay to assure that the camera is very steady after I have pressed the button. Next you'll need to have the correct camera settings. If you haven't learned manual mode you'll need to learn that. First thing is, you'll want to set your lens for manual focus. Focus all the way out to infinity. The ideal settings for night sky and milky way shots is having a wide open aperture (the f/#). Forr your 18-55 that will be f/3.5. This allows the maximum light to enter your lens. Next you'll want to set your ISO. You'll want to go as high as you can without degrading the image with high ISO noise. With the t5 I would go any higher than 1600. Next you want to set your shutter speed. I shoot my milky way pictures at 30 sec exposures. If you keep your shutter open any longer than that, you'll start to get star trails. And shorter than that and you're losing potentiolal light. Next you want to zoom out as wide as you can go. The most important thing is the f/# the lower the better. Besides that, it will be a combination of ISO and shutter speed. I used the 10-18 f.4.5-5.6 lens and wasn't pleased with my results because the aperture doesn't open wider than f/4.5 the only advantage youd have with this lens is that you can zoom out to 10mm which is fun. I ended up returning my 10-18 lens and saved a little more money to get a lightly used Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. I'm blown away at the clarity of this lens. And the f/2.8 aperture let's in 2x as much light. I hope all of this helps you. Once you get that first successful night shot, you'll be addicted. Good luck
774987
Hi Mr. Hewitt (I wonder if we have any relation?) Anyway, for a true beginner (as in you've never used anything but a point-and-shoot) I'd recommend you get a Nikon D40 and an 18-200 VR. Keep the 18-55 kit lens, you'll find it lighter when your just taking snapshots of the family or whatever. The D40 is an excellent starter camera, it has almost all the tweaks of this much more expensive camera without the weight and cost. The D300 has many advantages over it, but I really feel you'll learn a lot faster with a simpler camera, and step up to this when your ready. I actually started out with a D40 a bit over a year ago, it made starting out quite fun. The 18-200VR will follow you as a great lens on the D300 too, and you can use any newer AF-S lenses on it. If you have older AF-D Nikon lenses lying around that you want to use, a D80 is also a good place to start. It's easier to make the custom tweaks you'll learn about in your photography classes on the D80, but it still has Auto modes as well to get you started. Checkout www.kenrockwell.com, especially his recommended camera page. He's a bit more eloquent than I am. And I wouldn't be so fast to recommend the D60 to anyone, it's just the D40x's guts (plus active D-Lighting, but without the other enhancements of the D300/D3) with a different name stamped on it. I wouldn't recommend the D40x or D60 to anyone, they exist to fill a price point to compete with Canon. If your eyeballing either, jump to the D80 and don't look back.
106720
At $399, the E-PL1 is one of the best buys around. I shoot Nikon full frame cameras and I carry an E-PL1 with me when I need to go light. I've never been disappointed with the quality from the Oly so long as I recognize its limitations. It isn't a DSLR and never will be, but it produces imagery far better than any of the Point and Shoots I've owned, including the coveted Panasonic LX-5 (Leica DeLux D-5)/
63897
The Canon Rebel XS is fine for learning photography. If you're more serious about your photography, however, I might recommend a model with more features and a little better performance like the Rebel T1i or T2i or maybe even a semi-pro 50D or perhaps the new 60D. But also leave some funds available for more lenses, an external flash, a spare battery and a case. If you only plan on taking the one course and then just using the camera for casual photography afterwards, the XS will do the job.
298204
I bought the E510 with the two lenses here on Amazon about 4 months ago after doing a lot of research. I chose the Oly because it did, indeed, come out as the best entry level dslr for the money. Most 'bang for your buck' so to speak. No buyer's remorse here...I couldn't be happier with it.
1003770
Without any hesitation but with some more money on the table, my pick is the Leica. Colors are way superior and more pleasing than the Canon.
913710
Both Nikon and Canon are great products. I own the Nikon, but I have a Canon 35mm SLR. As far as ease of use, they are very comparable. The booklet that comes with it is really helpful, and you can't really go wrong with either brand in my opinion.
1603521
The SL1 is a great little camera. I am a professional photographer, and this little gem is my personal camera. It is wonderful for portraits, action shots, and the video mode is so easy to switch to. It is much lighter than my professional camera which was the main reason I purchased it. If you whether you shoot manually or set it to auto I think you will be pleased with this camera. :)
1003729
For a first DSLR, yes i'd definitely go with the d5200. Look at the specs, there's everything a beginner needs. I started with a d5000 about 3 years ago and my 11 year old daughter now knows all the ins and outs about operating a DSLR, even on full manual mode. In my opinion, d5200 would be a great start. I have a d7100 and probably gonna start looking at a full frame soon. Good luck and have fun shooting!
2031896
If you need a good close up detail camera you will have to invest an a SLR camera . Most point and shoot camera is used by individuals who want simple photos.